The American Legion must continue to serve as a powerful voice for veterans. Our voice in our nationís capital is only as strong as our membership allows us to be. The American Legionís Legionnaires, Auxiliary members, and Sons of The American Legion are the heart and soul of our organization.

Today, we need your help in contacting your members of the Senate and House of Representatives. Please use the prepared message or your own letter to ask them to cosponsor and pass S.21 and H.R. 367, respectively. Your member needs to encourage congressional leadership to bring the Pay Our Coast Guard Act to the floor for a vote, and to promise to vote for this legislation, to ensure our members of the Coast Guard do not go without pay ever again.

Members of the US Coast Guard should never find their pay jeopardized because of partisan unrest in Washington D.C. There is a constant and real threat, because of any government shutdown, that without the action of Congress, the Coast Guard may not be able to pay their members. With the current political climate, we need Congress to take immediate bipartisan action. A select number of members of Congress have come together in bipartisan fashion to introduce S.21 and H.R. 367, the Pay Our Coast Guard Act, in this 116th Congress.

Earlier this year, the longest government shutdown in our nationís history came to an end, stopping what had been more than a three-week gap since more than 41,000 active-duty members of the U.S. Coast Guard had been paid. The American Legionís Temporary Financial Assistance (TFA) program was able to provide more than $1 million in non-repayable grants to approximately 1,713 Coast Guard families with 3,170 children.

TFA grants, like the ones distributed to Coast Guard families affected by the shutdown, are made possible through donations to The American Legion Veterans and Children Foundation at www.legion.org/donate. The foundation supports veterans and military families in need, as well as American Legion service officers who provide free VA benefits and health care assistance to veterans.

Contact your Senator and Representative today to tell them to pay the Coast Guard!

"The brave members of our Coast Guard risk their lives defending us daily, just like their sister services in the Department of DefenseÖ. Whether they are performing rescues during a hurricane or stopping drug traffickers at sea, members of the Coast Guard regularly perform heroic and lifesaving tasks on our behalf. They should not have to worry about bills and living expenses just because Congress and the White House cannot agree on a budget." - Brett P. Reistad, National Commander

(If received by email, scroll up and click the Take Action link, otherwise see below and send a prepared message to Congress. Also, Like this on Facebook.)

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"MOST PEOPLE DO NOT LACK THE STRENGTH, THEY MERELY LACK THE WILL!" (Victor Hugo)

O Almighty Lord God, who neither slumberest nor sleepest; Protect and assist, we beseech thee, all those who at home or abroad, by land, by sea, or in the air, are serving this country, that they, being armed with thy defence, may be preserved evermore in all perils; and being filled with wisdom and girded with strength, may do their duty to thy honour and glory; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.